Gardening stool

ABSTRACT

A gardening stool that allows for tilting and pivoting is provided. The gardening stool has an elongated base connected to a seat by a post. The elongated base is convex and is tapered towards the front for pivoting. The base may include a flattened region located toward the rear of the post for stability. The base may further include compartments for holding tools.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.29/141,794 and U.S. application Ser. No. 29/141,803, both filed on May11, 2001.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a stool for use in a garden and moreparticularly to a stool that provides a user support while the usertilts and pivots in a forward or a forward and sideways direction.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various types of stools are well known, some of which are modified tosuit a particular use. Many of these stools are symmetrical to allow theuser to sit on them facing any direction, and some of these stools haverounded bottoms to allow for some degree of tilting.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,103 shows a symmetrical stool with a seat attachedby a support column to a rounded bottom. The bottom has projections thatallow the stool to be rocked slightly on soft ground, but does not allowrocking on a hard surface. A tool holder is attached to the supportcolumn. The bottom of the stool is a continuous curve.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,049,539 shows a symmetrical stool with a flat topconnected to a base by four legs. The base has a flat region in thecenter and curves upward to a downturned rim. The upward curve allowsfor some tilting, and the downturned rim prevents the stool from tilingtoo far. Tools can be placed between the legs.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,312,437 shows a symmetrical stool with a round seat andbase connected by a post. In one embodiment, the base has a flat centerand is weighted for stability.

While these stools allow for some tilting or rocking motion, and atleast the first two can be used in the garden, they have some drawbacks.The first two stools have a limited tilting or rocking ability, and thethird stool relies on a weighted base for stability, making itinconvenient for moving from place to place in a garden.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is a stool with anelongated base attached to a seat with a post. The base has a front anda back corresponding to a front and back of the stool, respectively. Thebase is elongated from the back to the front along a longitudinal axis,and tapers from a first width at the back to a second, narrower width atthe front. The base has a convex bottom surface extending around aperimeter of the base, and the front of the base has a rounded noseextending upwards.

In another embodiment, the stool includes an elongated base with asubstantially flattened region located rearward of the post. A seat isattached to the base by a post.

In a further embodiment, the base of the stool has two opposing sideswith convex curvatures. The sides converge and meet at a nose, and thebase has a rounded outer perimeter to allow the stool to pivot when in aforward-leaning position. The top surface of the base is upwardlyconcave and can include one or more storage compartment. In oneembodiment, the bottom surface of the base at the nose has a non-slipsurface. The bottom surface of the base at the nose can also includediscrete protrusions.

In another embodiment, the stool seat of the stool has a front and backcorresponding to the front and back of the stool, respectively, andfirst and second sides adjacent the front and back. The seat can beelongated from the first and second sides so that the seat is elongatedtransverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base. The stoolcan also include handles located at the first and second sides of theseat.

Accordingly a method for gardening utilizes the stool embodiments. Inone method the seat positions the user in an upright seated positionwherein the user may roll forward and tilt from side to side. In anothermethod the seat supports a kneeling user when performing gardeningtasks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a gardeningstool of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the gardening stool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the gardening stool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the gardening stool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the gardening stool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the gardening stool of FIG.1.

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the gardening stool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top front perspective view of another embodiment of agardening stool of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the gardening stool of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the gardening stool of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the gardening stool of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the gardening stool of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the gardening stool of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention will now be described by reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The illustrated embodiments and description are provided onlyfor exemplary purposes to facilitate comprehension of the invention andshould not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

The invention relates generally to a stool used for gardening. In oneembodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-7, the stool 10 includes a seat 15 attachedto a base 20 by a post 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the post 25connecting the seat 15 and base 20 has two parts and is adjustable inheight. As shown in FIG. 6, the post 25 has a lower section 35 and anupper section 40. The height of the seat is adjusted by raising orlowering the upper section 40 of the post 40 and locking it in place byfixing an adjustment lever 50 in one of several adjustment holes 45 inthe upper section 40 of the post. The post 25 can be any shape or sizethat provides support for the seat 15 and a means of attaching the seat15 to the base 20. Additionally, the post 25 can be adjusted by othermeans including hydraulics, a threaded connection to the seat 15 or base20, or any other means of raising or lowering a weight-bearing surface.

The base 20 of the stool has a front end 115 and a back end 120corresponding to a front and a back of the stool, respectively. The backend 120 of the base is positioned opposite the front end 115 of thebase. A first side 55 and a second side 60 extend from the front end 115to the back end 130 of the base. As shown in FIG. 5, the base 20 iselongated from the front end 115 to the back end 120 along alongitudinal axis A-A and has a length L2. The base 20 tapers from afirst width W1 adjacent the back end 120 to a second, narrower width W2adjacent the front end 115. In the preferred embodiment, the ratio ofthe widest width W1 of the base 20 to the length L2 of the base 20 istypically at least 2:3.

The base 20 further comprises a bottom surface 70 and an upper surface85. The bottom surface 70 defines a first longitudinal convex shapeextending from the front end 115 to the back end 120 (see FIG. 6). Thebottom surface 70 also defines a second transverse convex shapeextending from the first side 55 to the second side 60 (see FIG. 1). Thefirst curvature is longitudinal in that it curves or cups along thelongitudinal axis A-A of the base. The second curvature is transverse inthat it curves or cups perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of thebase. The first convex curvature is generally less arcuate or convexthan the second convex curvature. The first and second convex curvaturesof the base 70 are configured such that user may tilt, pivot, or rollthe stool in a forward direction while at the same time lean or tip thestool toward any side direction. The first and second sides 55, 60 mayalso include a concave region 150 transitioned within the second convexcurvature and extending longitudinally. In general, the bottom surface70 comprises an overall convex configuration that defines the perimeterof the base.

The front end 115 of the base 20 includes a rounded nose 65 that extendsupwards from the bottom surface 70. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, theconvex curvatures and the concave regions 150 of the bottom surfacesconverge and meet at the nose 65. The nose 65 can be a non-slip area 75.The non-slip area 75 can be textured or it can be covered with anon-slip material, such as textured rubber or plastic. The non-slip area75 can additionally have discrete protrusions 80, as illustrated inFIG. 1. The non-slip area 75 of the nose 65 prevents the stool fromslipping out from under the user when the user leans forward and tiltsthe stool forward. The protrusions 80 can be in the form of bumps,ridges, spikes, etc., and can have any shape that provides additionaltraction when the stool is tilted forward such that the nose 65 is incontact with the ground.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the bottom surface 70 of the base 20includes a stabilization region in the form of a flattened region 105.FIG. 5 shows the flattened region 105 in relation to the post 25 (shownin dashed line). The majority of the flattened region 105 is locatedrearward of the post 25. Preferably, three-fourths or the entireflattened region 105 is rearward of the post 25. The term flattenedregion is defined as a region that is generally flatter than thesurrounding region. The flattened region may also be defined as a regionhaving a substantially flat portion or even a slightly concave portion.

The flattened region 105 of the base 20, the post 25, and the seat 15are configured such that the user's center of gravity, when seatedupright in the seat 15, is directly over or in vertical alignment withthe flattened region 105. Thereby, when the user is seated upright, atleast a portion of the flattened region 105 is in contact with theground surface to provide stability. For example, the flattened region105 may comprise a slightly concave region wherein the perimeter of theconcave region prevents the stool from tipping by providing relativelywide spacing between ground contact areas. Other configurations ofstabilization regions (e.g., knobs, protrusions, concave regions)providing relatively widely spaced apart ground contact regions can alsobe used.

Forward of the flattened region 105, the bottom surface 70 comprises acurved region 110. The curved region 110 is a mesh of the firstlongitudinal convex curvature and the second transverse convexcurvature. The flattened region 105 transitions into the curved region110 at or near the perimeter of the flattened region. The curved region110 extends upwards to the nose 65 and allows for pivoting or tiltingthe stool when the user leans forward or forward and to the left orright.

The upper surface 85 of the base 20 may be upwardly concave. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper surface 85 has one or morecompartments 90 for holding tools. The compartments 90 can be formed byopposing walls 95 forming slots of varying widths. The compartments 90can include retaining straps (not shown) for securing tools. Theretaining straps can be fabric and preferably have elastic properties.The compartments 90 can also include removable covers (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the base 20 of the stool 10 has a hole 100 locatedat the back 120 for hanging the stool 10. The hole 100 may further beconstructed within a base portion 155 extending from the base.Alternatively, the stool can have a loop, hook, or other suitable meansfor hanging located on the base 20 or seat 15.

In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 15 is contoured withindentations or depressions for a user's legs and buttocks. The seat 15of the stool has a front end 125 and a back end 130 corresponding to afront and a back of the stool, respectively. The front end 125 and theback 130 of the seat are connected by first and second sides 135, 140.The sides 135, 140 gradually slope upward to form a concave seating area145. The seating area 145 may have a variety of curves and bowled-shapeareas to comfortably seat a user. In the preferred embodiment, the seat15 is contoured such that the user's center of gravity is locateddirectly over or in vertical alignment with the flattened region 105 ofthe base 20. In alternative embodiments, the seat 15 can be flat,convex, concave, or any other suitable configuration for supporting aseated user. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the seat 15 has a lengthL1 that is transverse from the length L2 of the base 20. The seat 15 iselongated from the first side 135 to the second side 140, and iselongated transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A of thebase 20. This stool configuration provides multi-directional stability.First, the user is supported along the longitudinal axis A-A by the baselength L2 and second, the seat orientation provides stability transverseto the longitudinal axis A-A by opposing placement of the user's legs.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stool may further include handles 30 attached tothe first 135 and second 140 sides of the seat 15. The handles 30 can beattached to the underside of the seat as shown in the figures.Alternatively, the handles can be attached at or along the sides 135,140 of the seat. In another embodiment, the handles can be indentations,ridges, or holes formed in the periphery of the seat. The handlesprovides the user with a convenient means to carry the gardening stool.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 8-13, the stool 210includes a seat 215 attached to a base 220 by a post 225. The post 225connecting the seat 215 and base 220 has two parts. As shown in FIGS. 9and 13, the post 225 has a lower section 235 and an upper section 240.The upper section 240 is slideably received within an aperture (notshown) of the lower section 235 and stopped by the tapered design of theupper section 240. In other words the upper section 240 is inserted intothe lower section 235 to a position at which the cross-sectional area ofthe upper post section 240 is greater than the cross-section of theaperture of the lower post section. The post 225 can be any shape orsize that provides support for the seat 215 and a means of attaching theseat 215 to the base 220. Overall, the stool 210 has a height H from thebase 220 to the top of the seat 215. The maximum height is preferablyless than 12 inches, more preferably less than 10 inches, and mostpreferably less than 9 inches. With this height range configuration, theseated user may garden in a kneeling position with added seat support.

Similar to the first embodiment, the base 220 of the stool has a frontend 315 and a back end 320 corresponding to a front and a back of thestool, respectively. As shown in FIG. 12, the base 220 is elongated fromthe front end 315 to the back end 320 along a longitudinal axis A′-A′and has a length L2′. The base 220 has a first width W1′ adjacent theback end 320 and a second width W2′ adjacent the front end 315. Thewidths of this embodiment may remain substantially constant, taperslightly from the front end 315 toward the backend 320 as shown, or mayalso taper in the alternative direction as described in the firstembodiment.

The base 220 further comprises a bottom surface 270 and an upper surface285. The bottom surface 270 defines a first longitudinal convex shapeextending from the front end 315 toward the back end 320 (see FIG. 13).The bottom surface 270 also defines a second transverse convex shapeextending from the first side 255 to the second side 260 (see FIG. 9).The first and second convex curvatures of the base 70 are configuredsuch that user may tilt, roll, or pivot the stool in any direction whileat the same time providing the user seat support.

The front end 315 of the base 220 includes a rounded nose 265 thatextends upwards from the bottom surface 270. Although not shown, thisnose area 265 may include a non-slip area similar to that shown in thefirst embodiment.

The upper surface 285 of the base 220 may be upwardly concave. A hole300 at the back end 320 of the base 220 is provided for hanging thestool 210. The hole 300 may further be constructed within a base portion355 extending from the base 220. Alternatively, the stool can have aloop, hook, or other suitable means for hanging located on the base 220or seat 215.

In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 215 is contoured withindentations or depressions for a user's legs and buttocks. The seat 220of the stool has a front end 325 and a back end 330 corresponding to afront and a back of the stool, respectively. The front end 325 and theback end 330 of the seat are connected by first and second sides 335,340. The sides 335, 340 gradually slope upward to form a concave seatingarea 345. In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 13 the seat has aback support 360 defined in the back end 330 of the seat. In alternativeembodiments, the seat 15 can be flat, convex, concave, or any othersuitable configuration for supporting a seated user. Similar to theprevious embodiment, the seat 215 has a length L1′ that is transversefrom the length L2′ of the base 220. The seat 215 is elongated from thefirst side 335 to the second side 340, and is elongated transverse withrespect to the longitudinal axis A′-A′ of the base 220.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stool may further include cavities or handles230. The handles 230 are formed into the seat 215 as shown in thefigures. Alternatively, handles can be attached at the sides 335, 340 ofthe seat or comprise apertures, indentations or ridges formed in theperiphery of the seat. The handles provides the user with a convenientmeans to carry the gardening tool.

In use, a gardener will typically carry the stool to a desired gardeningsite. The gardener places the seat at a desired location and sits uponthe stool seat. Various gardening tools may be place in the base of thestool for convenient access. In the first embodiment, the user's feetare placed on the ground; the user's legs extending from the groundgenerally at a 90-degree angle while seated in an upright position. Inthe second embodiment, the user kneels on the ground. The seat ispositioned under the user's buttocks for semi-seated support. From theseated or semi-seated position, the user leans or pivots forward androlls the stool upon its convex base to reach a particular garden spot.Tools are handily reached underneath the stool seat. The stool providescontinuous buttock support to the gardener while performing gardeningtasks. In essence, the stool follows the physical movements of thegardener while, for example, reaching for and pulling weeds.

Upon completing the gardening task at the particular garden spot, theuser may lean or tilt the stool to access a nearby garden spot. Thenon-slip area on the stool provides the gardener with stable supportwhile reaching to various garden spots. By this, the gardener may tiltthe stool to reach areas in the garden that the gardener would otherwisehave to stand up and move toward in order to reach. Upon completing allgardening tasks, the gardener may easily store the stool by hanging itin a convenient location.

The foregoing describes numerous embodiments of an invention for a stoolfor use when gardening. Having described the invention, alternatives andembodiments may occur to one of skill in the art. It is intended thatsuch modifications and equivalents shall be included within the scope ofthe following claims.

1. A stool comprising: a) a base having a front and a back correspondingto a front and back of the stool, respectively, wherein the base iselongated from the back to the front along a longitudinal axis, andtapers from a first width at the back to a second, narrower width at thefront, wherein the base has a convex bottom surface that defines anupwards extending nose at the front of the base; b) a seat; and c) apost connecting the base and the seat.
 2. The stool of claim 1 whereinthe base further includes a stabilization region, the majority of thestabilization region being located rearward of the post.
 3. The stool ofclaim 2 wherein the entire stabilization region is located rearward ofthe post.
 4. The stool of claim 2 wherein the stabilization region is aflattened region.
 5. The stool of claim 1 wherein the base comprises abottom surface and a top surface, wherein the top surface is concave andcomprises at least one storage compartment.
 6. The stool of claim 1wherein the post is adjustable in height.
 7. A stool comprising: a) abase having a front end and a back end corresponding to a front and backof the stool, respectively, wherein the base is elongated from the backto the front along a longitudinal axis, wherein the base comprises twoopposite sides with convex curvatures, the opposite sides extendingbetween the front end and the back end of the base, the opposite sidesconverging toward a nose located at the front end of the base; b) aseat; and c) a post connecting the base to the seat.
 8. The stool ofclaim 7 wherein the seat has a front and back corresponding to the frontand back of the stool, respectively, and first and second sides adjacentthe front and back, wherein the seat is elongated from the first andsecond sides, wherein the seat is elongated transverse with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the base, the stool further comprising handlespositioned at the first and second sides of the seat.
 9. The stool ofclaim 8 wherein the seat is contoured.
 10. The stool of claim 7 whereinthe nose is rounded and extends upwardly.
 11. The stool of claim 10wherein the bottom surface of the base at the nose comprises a non-slipsurface.
 12. The stool of claim 1I wherein the bottom surface of thebase at the nose further comprises discrete protrusions.
 13. The stoolof claim 7 further comprising a hole at the back of the base forhanging.
 14. The stool of claim 7 wherein the seat has a top, a distancebetween the top of the seat and the base being less than 9 inches.
 15. Amethod of gardening, comprising the steps of: providing a stool having abase with a nose, the base having a convex region and a flattenedregion, a seat having a contoured region, and a post connecting the seatto the base, the flattened region of the base and the contoured regionof the seat arranged such that a user's center of gravity when seatedupright is vertically aligned with the flattened region; placing thestool at a desired garden location and sitting upon the contoured regionof the seat in an upright position, wherein the flattened regionstabilizes the user in the seated upright position; rolling the stoolforward toward the nose of the base to access the desired gardenlocation wherein the base provides for transitional movement between theflattened region of the base and the convex region of the base; andtilting the stool towards a side while still in the forward leaningposition to access other desired garden locations, wherein the convexregion of the base provides for transitional movement from a user's leftside to a user's right side.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the noseincludes a non-slip region for providing added static frictional supportbetween a ground surface and the stool while a user is in a leaningposition.
 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step ofaccessing gardening tools carried in a compartment of the base whileseated for gardening purposes.
 18. A method of gardening, comprising thesteps of: providing a stool having a convex base, a contoured seat, anda post connecting the seat to the base; kneeling upon the ground andplacing the stool underneath the user to provide buttock support;leaning forward to access the desired garden location wherein the convexbase follows the user's forward pivotal movement; and tilting the stoolin a sideway direction while still in the forward leaning position toaccess other desired garden locations, wherein the convex base followsthe user's transverse pivotal movement.
 19. A stool, comprising: (a) aseat; (b) a base having a front end and a back end, said base beingelongated from the front end to the back end and defining a longitudinalaxis; (c) a post connecting said seat to said base; (d) a stabilizationstructure positioned rearward of the post; said base including a firstcontour located forward of said post, said first contour having a firstconvex curvature in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis forallowing side to side pivoting; said base including a second contourextending a direction along the longitudinal axis for allowing front toback pivoting; and said stabilization region configured to stabilizesaid stool by limiting side to side pivoting when said stool is uprightwithout interfering with front to back pivoting and without limitingside to side pivoting when said stool is pivoted forwardly.
 20. Thestool of claim 19 wherein said seat is elongated traversely to thelongitudinal axis of said base.
 21. The stool of claim 19 wherein saidseat is shaped such that a seated user's center of gravity is positionedrearward of said post.
 22. The stool of claim 19 wherein saidstabilization structure comprises a flattened region.
 23. The stool ofclaim 1 wherein the base tapers from a first width located rearward ofthe post to a second, narrower width located forward of the post. 24.The stool of claim 24 wherein the base includes a continuous taper fromthe first width to the second, narrower width.
 25. The stool of claim 7wherein the seat has a front and back corresponding to the front andback of the stool, respectively, and first and second sides adjacent thefront and back, wherein the seat is elongated from the first and secondsides, wherein the seat is elongated transverse with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the base.
 26. A method of using a stool, comprisingthe steps of: providing a stool having a base with a nose, the basehaving a convex region and a flattened region, a seat having a contouredregion, and a post connecting the seat to the base, the flattened regionof the base and the contoured region of the seat arranged such that auser's center of gravity when seated upright is vertically aligned withthe flattened region; placing the stool at a desired location andsitting upon the contoured region of the seat in an upright position,wherein the flattened region stabilizes the user in the seated uprightposition; rolling the stool forward toward the nose of the base toaccess the desired location wherein the base provides for transitionalmovement between the flattened region of the base and the convex regionof the base; and tilting the stool towards a side while still in theforward leaning position to access other desired locations, wherein theconvex region of the base provides for transitional movement from auser's left side to a user's right side.
 27. The method of claim 26wherein the nose includes a non-slip region for providing added staticfrictional support between a ground surface and the stool while a useris in a leaning position.
 28. The method of claim 26 further comprisingthe step of accessing items carried in a compartment of the base whileseated.
 29. A stool comprising: a) a base having a front and a backcorresponding to a front and back of the stool, respectively, whereinthe base is elongated from the back to the front along a longitudinalaxis, wherein the base has a convex bottom surface that defines anupwards extending nose at the front of the base; b) a seat; and c) asupport structure connecting the base and the seat.
 30. The stool ofclaim 29 wherein the base further includes a flattened stabilizationregion.
 31. The stool of claim 29 wherein the base comprises a bottomsurface and a top surface, wherein the top surface is concave andcomprises at least one storage compartment.
 32. The stool of claim 29wherein the support structure is adjustable to position the seat in araised position or a lowered position relative to the base.
 33. Thestool of claim 29 wherein the support structure is an adjustable post.34. A stool comprising: a) a base having a front end and a back endcorresponding to a front and back of the stool, respectively, whereinthe base is elongated from the back to the front along a longitudinalaxis, wherein the base comprises a bottom surface with two oppositesides with convex curvatures, the opposite sides extending between thefront end and the back end of the base, the opposite sides convergingtoward a nose located at the front end of the base; b) a seat; and c) asupport structure connecting the base to the seat.
 35. The stool ofclaim 34 wherein the support structure is an adjustable post.
 36. Amethod of using a stool, comprising the steps of: providing a stoolhaving a base with a nose, the base having a convex region and aflattened region, a seat having a contoured region, and a supportstructure connecting the seat to the base, the flattened region of thebase and the contoured region of the seat arranged such that a user'scenter of gravity when seated upright is vertically aligned with theflattened region; placing the stool at a desired location and sittingupon the contoured region of the seat in an upright position, whereinthe flattened region stabilizes the user in the seated upright position;rolling the stool forward toward the nose of the base to access thedesired location wherein the base provides for transitional movementbetween the flattened region of the base and the convex region of thebase; and tilting the stool towards a side while still in the forwardleaning position to access other desired locations, wherein the convexregion of the base provides for transitional movement from a user's leftside to a user's right side.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the noseincludes a non-slip region for providing added static frictional supportbetween a ground surface and the stool while a user is in a leaningposition.